Coupler mounting



Sept. 14, 1943. w. 4. METZGER COUPLER mou'imne Filed June 216, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I mm I I WMAW ATTORNEY Sept. 14, 1943.' J. mar ia'm 2,329,285

COUPLER MOUNTING Filed June 26, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 L I I INVENTOR Wilz'amdMtz ATTORNEY Sept. 14, 1943. J, M 2,329,285;

' COUPLER MOUNTING I Filed June' 2 1941. 4 Shets-Sheet s' INVENTOR M/Iiam ATTORNEY W. J. METZGER COUPLER MOUNTING Sept. 14, 1943.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 26, 1941 w-l'rm I (am Z 81' MM 4%.

ATTORNEY 1 operative positionwithifithepilot'contouni andtiine. f

Patented Sept. 14, 1943 Cleveland,- Ohio, acorporationoii Ohio 1 o l l I 1 Ai plicatiofiilune 26, 1941*,Se1rii i Nb. sess le;

p claims, (01.21354) This invention r,elates'to flajcoupler and draft rigging arrariger'nent for usefparticularlyin the pilot ot'alocomotiye. j Anpbject of th'e'invention isto'provide a new and improved ebupiq nd draftrigging arrange ment for'use'in a locomotive pilot, thprrange- 1 ment bei'r'ig mprinted so as to pivot" about alhbri: j 9.35 to P i gi 1 fltv f q from normal horizontal operative position 'to in;

, Anfi b t lQ im L n ntib is t ji i v la drop couplr arrangement for iu'se'i in the pilot of a, locomotive which arrangement is of simple and sturdy constructi and-iwhich permits movement of the coupler frori l-operative to inoperative positionwit'h a min mum a 'oimt ,of effort A more specifi c' object istojprovide a coupler-, yoke draft 1 gear asse nbly which is contained in a rnexnbe'r-pivotally mounted in-thepilotfof a locomotive, thevcoupler being adapted tobeswung downwardly to a position e withinthepil ot con-k tour when not in service q A further object isj toprovide a, coupler, yoke and drafit gear unit vforifaloco m tive pilot-in which no dead weight is required tobo n erbalarice the i coupler; the unit being "mounted within the pilot for pivotal fmovementfabout a horizontal axi's to permit swinging-rot the coupler from; normal operative positiontto' inoperative gpositionywithin ,thepilotm 1i H 3 Z. .A still further'aobject'is to provide aicoupler} yoke and draft geari assembly for a' -locomotive pilot whereby thecouplerandyoke are'resil iently supported to permit vertical anglihgoflthe coupler and yoke; the entire as embiybemg carried by a member pivotally mounted within 7 t (5' pilot aboutahorizontal axis. f

- Anadditibnalbbjctis to providea drop coupler and associated uncoupling mechanisrn 'for us'ein' a locomotivepilot 'wherebv upon 'n'iovernent of i the coupler into and out of 'opera'tive'i position the" uncoupling mechanism is automatica lly engaged and disengaged. a p v Other objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following description; taken in conjunction withi-the 'drawing'sf im ,Which: 1 a :5 1 i H; Figure 1 is' a central-vertical sectional view through the pilot of aloooxnoti-v'e'showing an em;

bodiment of thejin ventionz v y I c Figure 2 is a jview? partly iri' -hori'zontal section and partly in plari of mechar isrnfshown in Figure 1.

taken alo'ng line 3 -3 oijFigure 2.

pilot";

william JrMetzg er,:Eirclidibhio, assi g -norito Na-iwm 1 tional Malleable and Steel "Castings; Com ny, i

Figurfefl is a transverse vertical sectional yie'w l Eiguree s. aview similartoiFigurelbiitshow insith c p e lo e qd to' a q iii i; Wi h n he 1 ure f'l 'igurefi 1s aside view'of the suppdrtinglrnem f. 1

hero: the niechanism.

" enie fram is f m w th paced 3 etwe n w q is a pted m be portion received the housing orsupporting 'rnemheri l4 whichcarriesthe coupler,draftgteixrimd yoke-i Mem fili" is. r v tel r nie x wvm iiy l favertifc'al,direction by n eansiof horizontally disposedfpi ns' lizf Each'p' "'isi"supported fin' the locomotive, frarrieffby a vertically-adjustable bear-f ing rriem'b'er i6 Whl is provided with mounting lugs rigid-engagement with wa1l"l'-8'-of the frame W'allifB has an eloiigatedfopening'ib which re are'linedwit we r rsistaiigbu'smzig"; grand 27 4', respectively. A segmental flange 25 extends from pertion zrmw overlapping eri gagjiement with boss.

2-21 o ffrnerr'iber; i4, thereby supplementing pins 15' j in resisting 'biufiing jstresses transmitted thereto.

. M m s-i 1a es u to smbxm ans 9 b'oltsjfl arid shimfwashersg21,; Bolt receiving openings2j8qare' elong'ate dgin a verticaltdirectiong so thatjfwith rnemberl Hipositioned as shown the, drawingsQprojction 29 of each washer oc cupiesfthe space above thebolt. Whenever it is" desired ;to {increase the height of the coupler above the track,' washers 21 may bereversjed so ti't atip q t 'ori flf nde bolts 5: th eb ij n's the c u e ib tha amount, fl l e) understoodflthat various sizes o'fjwas'hers may be use'dijdependi'ng "upon the height to which the" coupler: i'sj to be raised'; V Stops-30 and 3l jare prode bh'wjal s 1 ad en l ,u s that num i' and'draftloa'd's willbetrans lnitted througli mem 'l 15 to'thef a lls,'"thus relievingvbQlts 26 of those forces. Pi are retained in place by' mean's of bolts "which: bridge lugs\33 onjm ember lfigf Hdu'sm ernber 4 isadapt'ed weary and support t h draft 'gear'35,fthe yokefiifi and the, y 4 Ifhefdr,ait'gear is directly supported l bye-3thetiepiat Bil -which extends across the bot= couplerfav the engaging surfaces betv e aen the Lends-'of-the gear,

a the engagement between the draf t gea andstops All andlL. I

1 member 152.; Arms .dfi are m s age-at:sages as to receive extensions. 54 '.on= 52.

" "recess-gso that spring. can t be; subjected to wardmpvement-is-pnovided to permittheamount Iq h y eae whma l e et ewke i =It willbe n ted-thatthe'tophorizontal com necting twall fioof membergll and-Ijthe lowielljtie Matt ar ,s Q m d a d spaced parts M o s'upp he ou A ev n 6?. i :121m- ;siide time pivotal axiskof the nit; Inother.

' horizontal position er,-. m ctm iet iygisw d; e;

tom of member l4 and is secured thereto bybolts 40. Plate 39 in addition to supporting the draft igear increases the rigidity of member 14 and being substantially entirely on'the side of pins-I5 opposite to that of the coupler serves to counterweightthe'latter. Member I4 is provided with "buffer stops 4! and draft stops 42 for engagement with the draft gear 'Yoke entbraceslt draft gear. functions with respect thereto in t'he usual manner: The

Q yoke is resilientlysu pported within'member I l by means of the resilient supporting arrange ment pat the forward end thereof. -I2 relative;, v

' pivotal movement between the draft gear and yoke'in a vertical direction'isprovidedsby forming.

gear and yoke curved vertically. about a point substantially midway betweenatheendsoiythe:

Thus the coupler may angle vertically without distorting the draft gear or disturbing .Supporting.arrangemerit-45 es larrills dfi N e depending froinmmember' 1114 to "which i s bolted n m .hori 'e P s man! he upler, a 54 are i n m tw h i e -u w wl s of recesses 53, j-Downwar'd mbvementoi neriiber is limited" by'l'the lower lsurfaqex ii o f eachj any; overseas I blows, 1- 'Howevergsuflicient dawn,-

fw tiea ena-s Oix cou e th new:

sary'in service lnte no-S dgbetween the bottom member 52 avgwear plateji eerii ei t a ame abors I a be w th p r ndl-l we s ra .5. d respectiv ly.

' o ar e -w eve ti lm v m fi i of during-vertical. anglingof theccoupler E The vcoupler is. connected to the yolcebyrneans 5 or a vertical. pin 5QtlierbDermlttinghoriZontel angling" of the'coupler. g'lhe yokeis-provided with 'aforwardly extendingshelf which videdj through" the resilient, supporting arrange; mentAS to. 'facilitatevremoval of pinlii. Any

" suitable member may; be inserted .therethrougl i to .rais'e the pin 1 upon removal of pin-retaining bolt V l5 which pivotallym unt the housing member" are ski-located withre'spfect to themem ber the yoke; and, the bouplerfthatlthere 51s a slight preponserantefi of weight lonj gentler i words; with the assembly free to pivohaboiit [5 1$ will'as's l imea tilted position' withthecoiipier" side lowered. fl rom such position; the eou nl may e swuns er ias ly-e hen-to normal c v 1 c c 7 sltibnlwlthin Jthe pilot. as. shown in liig ur e 4. ,A,

workman-Will thfus b amt very. qui klyand Wt out undue exertionto lowerfthei coupleif from normal operative position to a. position. within he- W We Yam" WW ewi e q t i x5 placed.

ZOT

this rib lies in .7

although the pivotal anisof the unit has been located so that there is a slight excess of weight on the coupler side thereof, it may belocated in accordance with any summation of moments thereabout that may be desired. For example,

the axis may be located sothat in horizontal position of thecoupler theunitis balanced and will therefore tend to remain insuch position, v or ,thefaxis may bemaide'jtd p08: through the.

center of gravityof theunit soithat the coupler. will theoretically remain in any position it is The assembly is locked ingv pins I01 These pins are slidably mounted in.- membersJB-Iand are adapted to be projected into-openings in bosses II and 12 on member 14.

To facilitate manipulation of the locking pins each'may be provided with anoperating handle T3 pivoted to member l6 by m'eans of a bolt 14. Theoutersend of e chm n is slotted as at; 15

' to receive the handle; ma, comiection be y tween the'pin and handle isiaccon plishedqhy means ,ofan elongated slot! Hi and a b t- --n s i th wsh ihsous slot. 1a. .ltwill be riearfthat nponr isin ge l iibi i 1 m rk i hdra i i m us n ber. the b xmrmiw sflbivbung some tire assembly ,ahoutlpins li operative or inoperative 'position'pf the" .cbulilrl Hanmenmq tei q sedin miectedp l ipn'or' pin 10 by-m-ea'ri'sof ahook .19 adapted a pa eheh e th re y n l ma a ing of thehan dlel The"hoolg' mayjbeflfastened to the pilot by means era m m I], )3 t m be understood, howeverj-that any'snitablemeans for locking th'ehjandle may-jbe utilized: :A mp1:-

integral with the pilot is provided to limit saws:

ward swingingoffthe {by During iai ing iot' thje coupler to operative Imsi can the lend portion of -bottom "wants" of" the locomotivei fram is ada t mage? tief 'm'te as to limit 'downward 'mo vement ofthe redeem of the unit, thereby I facilitating? positioning "or Y. I the. coupler to permit proiection 'oi' lookln'g pins i i 10 into bosses 12.- Although two 'locking 'ipiris 'havobeen shown'itis to bc-Iuuderstood that the device may'beprovidedwith only-one of such ins, as ndDmlue. stressesvare normally applied thereto. i

fipp ufi for "the coupler requires no disconnection 061W of itspartsbefore the coupler can be loweredtoinoperative posi-g F on; Within the pilot. and moon raisins of t e c up e onpemtive malt-ion the mechanism is j automatically. returned intp position to operat "the coupler. furthermore; the yanparatusulsoi" symmetrical construction so that; it is operable from either side of the coupler. .Theis provided with j a rotor lever '90 ilinkjl. A' bail member; 92 is piv tal meme toi hous'in' m by means of a-.noir of brackets-an secured to front cwall 49 0! tie member ".ivThe ball i termed with; ahqrimntal'central portion Y 94 wluch-isoperatively connected tolinktli.

c e d of he'b i l has .a lever'portionos-which ex nds re wardly from hrasket 3. and is iconcentncally curveda t'th axis of pivotinins ;|5. A" rotor link 96 for actuating thehailfh x H p v inteither operative or lowered position of'the coupler by means of lock-' can a mat re,"

jiIaIi.".QI-= the fend Isilrface of th Ibos sesflarld' 18, so locatedl'that pin it came. a p c d nl into o es or 11 2;- depend n nusa: onthe cou er.

' orgportionslthereof; but recognize that various which overhangs the :arcuate leveriportion-95 of the'bail and is adapted to engagetherewith upon pivotal movement ofxth'e link to operate the bail and efiect uncouplinglof the coupler. .Since the lever portion 95t-is iar'cuately curvedit will fpivot' clear of armb99 upon loweringof the coupler from operative "to inoperative ,position:v A handle member I" is 'pivotally mounted inlbrackets'il 0 l modifications vare possible within v the scope: of

the invention claimed. Y

, What, I-iclaimp-is r lql'lvIn a-glocomotive pilot acoupler andidraft rigging assemblyi comprising a :support :member;

pivotally mounted; for movementcaboutgavhoriand is joined to rotori'link 96by anintermediate lifting force transmitted to rotor link 96 upon raising of handle. I00 will"causeuarm 99 tojbe connecting 1m I02. "It will be. clear that l the i I to saidfyokef andwin normal operativesposition' .beljswung into engagement lwit'h"i levef portion 7 95 of :the bail and"tcause-ytheilatter topivotin bracketsr93, therebytra'nsmitting'the lifting force to rotor lever ,90 through link -9l to"uncouplethe coupler. Furthermore; there is "sufficient clearance between arm99i and" lever portion 95 when the mechan'lsm is at rest'sothat when the height of the coupler above the track is increased in the manner previously explained, the arm will still be clear of the lever portion and'the apparatus will .remainin operative condition. It will rie'd by said member and'adapted to engageisaid 7 lugs, a. yoke carriedby'said member embracing said .gearQand a coupler connected to said; yoke I and Zextendinggfrom the pilot when in normal operative position, said member being adapted be noted that the preponderance 'of-the weight g of the bail is forward of its pivot-point 'andtherefore exerts adownwardforce on link 9| and rotor any creeping upward lever 90, thereby opposing ofthe coupler lock; a. I w Thepilot l2- maybe of'any suitable shape and is firmly secured toythe locomotive frame byvertically spaced bolts 105' and horizontally spaced bolts'lOG and" I01; 'The" fIOntIOf the pilot is recessed to permit swinging'of'the coupler to inoper'ative position within the pilotand to permit access to handles IS-for manipulation of lockin pins Ill. The rear portion of thepilot is recessed as at I08 thereby permitting] removal of the pilot from the frame without the necessity 01;

' zontal axis andadapted to support a draft gear,

couplersandyoke, a draft gear anda yoke encircling. said draft, gear supportedby said member.

inmoperative; relation; and a ,Jcoupler connected extendingtfrom the pilot, said member being adapted to be' pivotedabout said axis so --2. In a yoke, stop lugs on said member, a draft gear car,-

to befpivoted about said axis so as to swing said coupler.tolinoperative position within the pilot. "3.,In .a locomotive 'pilot a coupler-and: draft rigging assembly comprising a memberpivotaHy I mounted for'movement about a horizontal-axis and adapted to support a draft gear, coupler and yokeQa draft'gear and a yoke en'circling said draft gear carried bysaid member in operative relation, and ya coupler connected tosaid'yoke removing the coupler .or housing memberl 4; The

uncoupling mechanism, however, 'must be disconnected before removal of the pilot;'but this may be easily accomplished by disconnecting brackets 91 and sliding each of links 96 laterally outwardly an amount sufficient to clear armv 99 from lever as of the bail. "Upon disconnection 'ofbz'ackets 1M from .thelocomotive frame and removal of securing bolts I05, I06 andj llll 'thex pilot may be withdrawn. a I

In orderto'provide-a smooth front tothe loco,- ,.motive when the coupler,"has beenlowered to inoperative position thepilot opening may be closed by anysuitable cover arrangement.-

i It will be apparent that the invention provides a compact coupler and draftrigging'unit for use particularly in the-pilot of a locomotive in which it .is required that the coupler be capable,

of being withdrawn from its normal operative position when not c ini servicen Theunitis simple in constructionand the coupler may be moved very easily andquickly to inoperative position within the pilot. In addition tothe-provisionjof a ;draft gear for cushioning draft and bufling forces, the arrangement providesfor both verti-t cal and horizontal angling of, the-coupler. The

coupler, yokeand, draft gearare all carried by a member which is supported by 1theloc'omotive frame independently of-thepilot member which transmitted by the coupler.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use is therefore relieved of a1l;buffing and draft forces v and in normal operative position. extending from the pilot, said horizontalaxis beingrpo'sitioned so as to ,passxapproximately:through the center 'ofigravity of. said assembly. 1

-..-4'. In .a locomotive pilot a counterbalanced coupler unit comprising a housing member adapted to carrya draft gearand'a yoke in operative relation, said draft gear beingencircled by said yoke, a coupler supportedxby and, connected-to saidyokesaid coupler-in normal operative 'pcsition extending from the: pilot, and'means' for pivotally' mounting said member to enable piv-i otal'mo'vement. of said unit about a horizontal axis so ascto'swing said coupler toinoperative position within the pilot.

' 5." A coupler and draft riggingunit for use in r the pilot ,of a locomotive, said unit comprising ahousing member adaptedfto carry in operative relation a draft gear anda yoke," said yokeen circling'said'draft gear, a coupler'connectedto i and supported by said ,yoke,-and,,means"on said member for pivotallymountingsaid unit about a horizontal axis which passes approxiinatel through the center of gravitythereof.

relation a draft gear and ayok e,-saidyoke sur: rounding said draft gear and beingircsiliently supported. to enable vertical angling thereof, a

coupler pivotally connected to said yoke for hori-.

zontal, angling with respect thereto, and 1 means for pivotally mounting said memberabout a hori*- zontal axis, said means beingso'ipositionedthat said couplerris counterbalanced by said member,

draftgear, and yoke...

'15 1'75In a :locomotive pilot, a coupler and draft v r rigging unit pivotallyv mounted in the pilot for movement about a horizontal axis, said unit come 3 of i such terms andexpressions, of excluding any equivalents ofthe features shownand described locomotive] pilot a memberpivotally mounted for movementta'bout a horizontal .axis and adapted to supporta draft gear, coupler and h c prising ahousing member pivbt'a'lly rnount'e'd on a horizontal axis in said pilot and adapted to support adrait gear, ayoke tinda c'oirplerga drait gear-in said housing member, a= yoke encir- "cling said draft gear adapted 'toangIeve'rticaIIy relative thereto, a coupler pivotall'ycorinectedtosaidyoke for horizontal angling, an'd means in said housing. member for resiliently supporting amazes a coupler, .yoke and'idraft gear assemblm' nieans for 'pivotally' connecting said member to said walls to permit movement ofsaid couplerfrom normal.

operative position to inoperative position within said? pilot, and means for locking said member in either saidoperative or. said inoperative posi 'tionof-"said coupler, ,said meansrcompri'sin'ga.

said yoke toieriablevertical 'angling'ot said yoke and coupler relative to said draftgeary p "8. In a locomotive pilot a counterbalanced coupler unit comprising a member pivotally 'mountedin the pilot for movement about a horizmtal, axis; a draft gearsupported bylsaid member' a yoke embracing said 'draftwgearand sup ported' by said member," a coupler connected lto yoke and in normaloperative position extending from the pilot, said coupler being supported 3 by said member, said unit being adapted to'be pivoted'about said axis so as to move said I coupler. toinoperative position within the pilot,

. and means for locking said unit in said operative Or in said inoperative position of said coupler.

a locomotiVe pilotia counterbalancedcoupler unit comprising a member pivotally' mounted-in the-pilot for movement aboutah'orizontal axis, a draft gear supported by'said mem her, a yoke embracing said draft gear and supported b'y saidlmember, a coupler connected to saidyoke and in {normal operative position ex-' tending'from the pilot, said coupler being sup @portedby said member, said unit being adapted to belpivoted about said axis so as to move said coupler to inoperative position withinthe pilot;

and rneansfor locking said unit in said operative orsin said inoperative(position of said coupler, said means comprising. a pin adapted to be projected intoan. opening insaid member. a

\ 10,111 a locomotive pilot" a "frame structur having a pair of spaced Vertical walls, amember .positioned between said" walls and pivotally connected theretofor movement in a verticaldirection;v said member being constructed and arranged to'carryia coupler, yoke anddraft g'earpass'ernbly; andresi'lient support means carried by said mem- Spin adapted to be -projected ,rrom one: oii said walls :into an opening-in saidmember;v

14.11:: a locomctive pilo fa :irame...structur'e having a pair of spacedv ical 'walls, said walls having aligned: openingsiftherein; v'erti'cally ad vju'stable bearing member's secured to-isaidzwalis and having fp ortionsqextending :into; .said .openings; saidopenings being elongated-so as toe'n able adjustment oi' said members in aflvertic'al direction; a member received between said walls and adapted-rte; carry a coupler, yoke and draft I gear assemblyl andfpin-means mountedj-inasaid will bearing members and" extending into said. last named member to pivotally'mount the latterso as toqenableiimovement ofsaid assembly Irom operative position .of the coupler to lowered posi -15. Ina. counterbalanced couplerjmyoke and draft, gearassembly for use inthepilot Sofia locomotive, a-supporting member providing a; support for a; yoke; couplerlandt'draft' gear: said member comprisingrspaced portions-providing a.

pocket'for the vdra'ft gear andtyoke',=.said yoke encircling said draft gear, means, fonpivotally mounting said member in theqpilot "tOf permit swinging of ,theicoupler from; operative position to inoperative position within ;the pilot; and I means enabling locking oi said member in either operative or inoperative positioniof the coupler; '16., In a'lo'comotive pilota member pivotally mounted for movement about a horizontal axis, a coupler carried'by said member and in'norm'al operative position extending from the pilot for:

wardly of said axis; said member beingbada'pted v to be pivotedabout said axis so as togmove said couplerfrom operative to in'operatiire' position within the: pilot, w sa id member extending rear.-

ber'and supporting said assembly to enablever- 1 Neal. angling of the coupler.

- 11.. In a locomotive pilot a member for carry- I ing acouplen'yoke and draft gear unit in raised operative -position and in lowered inoperative 1 position, said memberbeing' pivotally mounted tor movement about a horizontal axis, and resilientsupport-means carried by said member for supporting said unit, said means comprising arms depending from said member, a tie member connecting said arms, a spring on said tie member,

wardlyof said axis soas=to provide a counterbalance for said coupler, means comprising a pin adapted to be projectedinto'an opening in said member to lock the latter in said' operative or 'in said inoperative position of saidtcoupler, and

a pivotally; mounted handle memberponnected to said pin' and adapted to withdrawfisaid pin .from said opening} upon being raised;

and a suppqrt member interposed between the I named member. 1 I

13. In a locomotivepilot a frame structure having a pair of spaced vertical Walls, a member positioned between said'walls adapted to. carry 17. In alocomotive pilot a member pivotally mounted for movement about 'aihorizontal axis, a coupler carried by said member and in normal operative position'jextending from the, pilot forwardly-of said axis, said member being adapted :to; be pivoted about saidaxis soas to move said coupler from operative -to-'; inoperative position within the pilot, said member, extending rear ;Ward1y of said axis so asrto provideya, countere,

balance for said coupler," and meansforlocking saidmember insaid operative or in said inopera-' tive position of saidcoupler, said means compris ing a piniada'pted to be projected into'a'n open ingin'said member, said' pin being slotted at one end, a pivotally mountedhandle member extend;

( ing into saidslot, and 'rneansoperatively'con 'necting said pin and handle membensaid handle upon being raised being adaptedf to withdraw said "pin from said opening.

WILLIAM MErz En. 

